Men vouch for her beauty and swear that it is of the kind that drives to distraction.  She is fire and flesh and carnal—­she is more than beauty.  There is allurement about her body; sylph-like, sinuous; the olive tint of her complexion, the wonderful glory of her hair and the glowing night-black of her eyes.  Men pause; she is of the superlative kind that robs the reason, a supreme glory of passion and life and beauty, at whose feet fools and wise men would slavishly frolic and folly.  She seldom speaks, but those who have heard her say that it is like rippling water, of gentleness and softness and of the mellow flow that comes from love and passion and from beauty.

Of course there is nothing out of the ordinary in their walking down the streets.  Anybody might do that.  The wonder comes in the manner in which they elude the police.  They come and go in the broad, bright daylight.  Hundreds have seen them.  They make no effort at concealment, nor disguise.  And yet no phantoms were ever more unreal than they to those who seek them.  Who are they?  The officers have been summoned on many occasions; but each and every time in some manner or way they had contrived to elude them.  There are some who have consigned them to the limbo of illusion.  But we do not entirely agree.

In a case like this it is well to take into consideration the respectability and character of those who have witnessed.  Phantoms are not corporeal; these two are flesh and blood.  There is mystery about them; but they are substance, the same as we are.

And lastly: 

If you will take the Key Route ferry some foggy morning you may see something to convince you.  It must be foggy and the air must be grey and drab and sombre.  Take the lower deck.  Perhaps you will see nothing.  If not try again; for they say you shall be rewarded.  Watch the forward part of the boat; but do not leave the inner deck.  The great Rhamda watching the grey swirl of the water!

He stands alone, in his hands the case of reddish leather, his feet slightly apart and his face full of a great hungry wonder.  Watch his features:  they are strong and aglow with a great and wondrous wisdom; mark if you see evil.  And remember.  Though he is like you he is something vastly different.  He is flesh and blood; but perhaps the master of one of the greatest laws that man can attain to.  He is the fact and the substance that was promised, but was not delivered by the professor.

This account has been largely taken from one of the Sunday editions of our papers.  I do not agree with it entirely.  Nevertheless, it will serve as an excellent foundation for my own adventures; and what is best of all, save labour.

V

FRIENDS

My name is Harry Wendel.

I am an attorney and until recently boasted of a splendid practice and an excellent prospect for the future.  I am still a young man; I have had a good education and still have friends and admirers.  Such being the case, you no doubt wonder why I give a past reference to my practice and what the future might have held for me.  Listen: